Highlighting - East of Maui Board Shop
Today we Highlight a local Annapolis staple in the water sports community, East of Maui Board Shop.
Founded in 1979 as a windsurfing shop, East of Maui has since evolved into a multi-boardsport shop.
Mark Bandy worked for the previous owner for 17 years. Mark B. hired Mark Saunders in 1994, and the two of them worked together for 9 years, before buying the business together in 2003.
Mark Bandy was introduced to Stand Up Paddleboarding by a friend who was the Jimmy Lewis rep while in Cape Hatteras on a windsurfing trip. Mark was told, “Hold the paddle the opposite way that you would think, don’t hit the edge of the board with the paddle, and if you fall, don’t F’k up the board!” We received our first shipment of boards a few weeks later. Mark B was probably one of, if not the first person to paddle across the Severn River and around Annapolis on a SUP. Mark Saunders followed a day later.
From the get-go, they realized that Stand Up Paddling was a great way to get on the water. Unlike most of the other board sports that they had been selling over the years, the learning curve was much easier. They also realized that just about anyone could do it and enjoy the sensation of standing on a board while gliding across the water.
Industry-wise, many of the manufacturers East of Maui had been dealing with for years in surf and windsurf, were also some of the first manufacturers of Stand Up boards, giving East of Maui access to most of the best brands right from the beginning. They currently are authorized dealers for Fanatic, Imagine, Jimmy Lewis, NSP, Naish, SIC, Starboard, and Surftech.
As the SUP industry and the sport grew, East of Maui grew as well, and has lead the way in growing the sport around Annapolis. Using their experience teaching windsurfing, Mark and Mark started teaching people to do it standing up in Annapolis. They even introduced several people to the sport that went on to start their own SUP businesses in the area. They organized a Tuesday Night Race Series that was ahead of its time. However, more people just wanted to paddle for fun, so we reverted back to our original Tuesday Night Social SUP, which still continues every Tuesday (weather permitting) from May through September.
This year, East of Maui will be co-hosting the 10th East of Maui/Eastport YC Chesapeake Stand Up Paddle Challenge on July 8, 2023. It would have been the 11th one, but a year was missed due to Covid. In 2020 Mark and Mark lost our good friend Geoff Ewenson, and a portion of the proceeds from the race will go to support the EWE Spirit Foundation.
From Mark B’s very first day on a board in Hatteras, they have seen lots of changes in SUP boards and the sport itself. What has not changed is their passion for Stand Up paddling and all the different board sports they sell and represent in the shop. When not working, you can usually find them paddling, windsurfing, surfing, sailing, foiling, winging, and in the winter snowboarding.
East of Maui has been lucky to have had so many great employees over the years helping them do what they do. Those employees have helped shape East of Maui into who they are today. Mostly, they are stoked to have so many customers that have become good friends over the years.
“We would like to thank our customers and friends for their all their support, without them, none of what we do would be possible.” Mark B. and Mark S.
Next time you need SUP, surf, sailing, foiling, windsurfing, or winging gear stop by East of Maui in Annapolis and say Aloha to Mark B. and Mark S., and tell them SUPClubMD sent you.
Disclaimer - this post contains affiliate links that help support this blog at no cost to you. Additionally, this entire article is based on the understanding that you have basic Stand Up Paddling safety knowledge and awareness; always wear your PFD and leash, and paddle with a friend and within your limits.
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